So now it has come to this?(Elijah)

[DoS Archive]

From: jahecore@aol.com (Jah Ecore)
Date: 23 Oct 1998 20:52:23 EDT

Duelers of Swords,

So now it has come to this? A Coordinator steps down in the midst of controversy in the sport. The Arena is closed for the first time ever since the sport's creation not just for a weekend but at least two maybe more. Patrons who have made contributions to the sport either by being RDIs or otherwise supporting the sport's continuation, many of whom were as well title holders at one time or another having their honor and motives questioned.
Kangroos courts on the words people say at every turn like there is a secret agenda lingering on every syllable. Everyone quiting or counting everyone an enemy, or at the least distrustful of anyone who talks to them. So now it has come to this?

Swords doesn't need any heros or pagentry of the past history of the rings to come save it. It just needs the concept of descency and respect to be reintroduced. If you want something done right, do it yourself by putting your blade to good use. The thing that should be remembered most beyond anything else of laws, rules, and ethics of the rings is one simple thing, the blade should always decide the issues. And if someone gives thier word and
delivers thier worth of thier word by blade, then regardless of what anyone else says about technicalities in laws, rules, or ethics they should stick to thier word. Without the worth of word, one is nothing to anyone else except as a pawn. True change of power in this sport is by proof of the blade. True change of society in this sport is by the leadership that wields that blade.

The Overlord of Duel of Swords is known as the Supreme Dueler of the sport, and Barons are aligned Loyal, Nuetral, or Renegade in respect to that Overlord. Your Nuetral if all you want to be is a fence sitter and nothing more when it comes to the Overlord and his actions, however having your own voice to influence the duelers of the community. Your a Loyal if your in favor of the Overlord's leadership over any others, including your own, and
shall do so to further the continuation of power by your Overlord. Your not a Loyal if your simply looking to only get challenged once a month and hope the Overlord will Interceede for you all the time. And of course your a Renegade if you are either passively or actively seeking to dethrone the Overlord and any of thier potential power. Naturally as a Renegade your the biggest, and by the rules, the easiest target to go after. All title holders
have the power to influence how things are done within and without the rings of Swords. With that comes responsibility for actions done and words said, for the spotlight is always on you. So it is often better to let your blade speak for you and hope it speaks well and true to your cause for history is often written by the victors or allies of the victor. For it is those who are victorious who are often listened to more clearly.

As always if you do not like what has been going on in the rings, then do something about it yourself. Duel, and duel good, and duel good when the time counts for you to have a chance to make change. Every Overlord and Baron will lose eventually and the tides always change within the rings my comrades. Do not lose heart or faith in the sport, or the community. Though I am very dismayed and disappointed at the crescendo of recent times to lead
to officials quiting and the doors closing to duels for awhile, perhaps it is best. This will give time for the dust to settle into prolonged moments of reflexation. To let the bruises and wounds heal, and the stress to release. I hope everyone takes this time to step back and enjoy the other things of thier lives to understand where Swords fits into all of it. And just perhaps after a much needed break by everyone at the same time everyone will
come back refreshed with a brighter perspective.

Come to the Arena to enjoy a friendly spar known as Duel of Swords when it reopens. Come to share a drink and a tale with a comrade between the duels. Flirt with a lass or a lad and make someone smile. Help the other less experienced duelers in whatever ways you can, whether how to get started, questions about the rules or some traditions or history of the rings, maybe teach a couple how to duel. Come to enjoy friendly rivalries of skill not
personality, and don't try to legislate morality. Do not preach at, but rather converse with your peers. Skill and Honor with Respect my comrades of Swords. Though I am no longer among the living souls of RhyDin I watch from afar in the place I have journeyed beyond too.

Ecore

[DoS Archive]

From: sidarthae@aol.com (Sidartha E)
Date: 23 Oct 1998 21:09:49 EDT

::watches the ghost of her old teacher places the note on the boards and reads it::

::smiles sadly and nods::

<w> Well written, kensai...

::wipes at her eyes as she returns to the bar, missing her teacher immensely::

[DoS Archive]

From: rlupton@aol.com (RLupton)
Date: 23 Oct 1998 21:32:03 EDT


Elijah Song


Young and strong Duel of Swords Son
in the early morning light
this star fell down
on the famed Second Ring

let the all of our RhyDin mourn
include him in their prayers
let his image linger on
repeat it everywhere

with candles, with flowers
he was one of ours
one of ours

why don't you let him be?
he's gone
we know
give his mother and his father peace
your vulture's candor!
your casual slander!
you murder his memory
he's gone
we know
it's nothing but a tragedy

lay to rest your soul and body
lay beside your name
lay to rest your rage
your hunger and amazing grace

with candles, with flowers
you were one of ours
one of ours

I saw people expose your life
I heard rumors explode with lies
I saw children in tears
cry and crowd around the sight
of where you had collapsed that day
where your last breath and word
had been sighed
where your heart had burst
where you had died

I saw how they were lost in grieving
all half believing you were gone
the loss and pain of it
crime and shame of it
you were gone
it was such a nightmare raving,
"how could we save him
from himself?"

((Author's Note: Adapted from Natalie Merchant's "River."))

[DoS Archive]

From: sidarthae@aol.com (Sidartha E)
Date: 23 Oct 1998 21:37:46 EDT

::looks again to the corkboard::

I remember when you first wrote this, after Elijah was killed. It's still something we should think about, even now.

Thank you, Lupton.


~Sidartha Elgarette~
Mistress-At-Arms

[DoS Archive]

From: sircassius@aol.com (SirCassius)
Date: 24 Oct 1998 03:38:40 EDT

::smiles as he reads the post, knowing after the first paragraph who wrote it.::

::places a small thought on the board::

It's only the fight. Thats what we come here to do. To Hell with ranks. To Hell with power. What does it matter? The extra fancy? The right to have your imput on those little "rules" that are made that make almost no difference? Come on guys.

"Just shut up and duel"

Sir Leo Caius Cassius Pride